Forest fires in Mersin's Silifke and Aydincik districts caused great damage to the growers. Thousands of acres of forest, as well as greenhouses, and open agricultural areas, were damaged in the fire. The growers suffered greatly in the fire.
Mersin Chamber of Agriculture President Musa Yilmaz: "The fires in the region are under control as of now however the loss of the growers in the fire is massive. The Ataturk, Duruhan, Yenikas, Karaseki neighborhoods in the Aydincik district were all damaged due to the fire. 30,000 hectares of land are completely damaged.25,000 hectares of the damaged areas are glass greenhouses. In addition, several agricultural machines, vehicles, and tractors were damaged by fire. Damage assessment works are still in progress in Aydincik. The damage assessment process has not started yet after the fire in the Silifke district.
Most of the agricultural lands in IsIkli and Yesilovacik, Bogsak were damaged. Olive, almond, and lemon trees from agricultural areas were highly damaged. Due to the greenhouses being evacuated, only the facilities were damaged. In the coming days, extensive damage assessment will be made and clear information will be obtained about the extent of the damage. There is currently no clear damage assessment.
The government has declared the area a disaster zone. It should have been declared an unconditional disaster zone. We will demand this designation from the Governor and the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry. It is time for the government to take action to assist growers in their time of need. After the damage assessment works, I think that extent of the damage will become more clear and apparent to the government officials and the area will be properly declared as a disaster area accordingly. When an area is declared a Disaster Zone, the designation actually covers everything in terms of the losses sustained by the residents of the area. The debts of the farmers who are in debt are postponed without interest. The loss of the farmers who have completely lost their property, house, vehicle, the greenhouse is compensated.
However, right now we only heard the President's declaration but nothing else followed that. There is no clear information. After the damage assessment is completed in the coming days, I think a commission will be established together with the agricultural chambers and agricultural organizations of that region under the presidency of our Governor, and a roadmap will be drawn to make up for the losses of the farmers as a result of the work of that commission. The information we have is that the President has declared this region a disaster area”; The growers who were damaged in the fire should be supported urgently in order to be able to produce in the next year. If the losses are not covered and growers are not supported in a timely manner, the growers cannot produce in burnt down greenhouses."
Source: Mersin Haberci